District Magistrate, Karaikal District, in exercise of the powers conferred upon under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, do hereby promulgate prohibitory order, banning the following activities from 6.00 p.m. of 17-04-2024 till 6.00 a.m. of 20-04-2024 in Karaikal District.

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No. 65 Poudouchéry Mercredi 17 Avril 2024 (28 Chaitra 1946)

No. Puducherry Wednesday 17th April 2024

OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT MAGISTRATE, KARAIKAL

No. E.18/DM/D1/GELS/2024.

Karaikal, dated 17th April 2024.

ORDER

(UNDER SECTION 144 OF Cr.P.C.)

Whereas, the Election Commission of India vide its Press Note No. ECI/ PN/23/2024, dated 16-03-2024, has declared the schedule for General Elections to Lok Sabha 2024 and the said election will be held on 19-04-2024 in Karaikal District; And whereas, under section 126 of the Representation of People Act, 1951, in the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the close of poll, the campaign will come to an end. After the closure of campaign period, no campaign can take place within the constituency and there shall be restriction on presence of political functionaries, party workers, procession functionaries, campaign functionaries, etc., who have been brought from outside the constituencies and who are not voters of the constituencies. Therefore, such persons should not continue to remain present in the constituency as their presence after end of campaign period may undermine the atmosphere for free and fair poll;

[ 293 ]LA GAZETTE DE L'ETAT [ PART-I 294 294 And whereas, as per the instructions of the Election Commission of India, orders under section 144 of Cr.P.C., 1973 have to be issued regarding ban on unlawful assembly and prohibition on holding of public meetings during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for close of poll;

And whereas, no loudspeakers fitted on vehicles of any kind or any other manner whatsoever shall be permitted to be used in Karaikal District during the said period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the close of poll in the entire District of Karaikal;

And whereas, cellular phones, cordless phones, etc., shall not be allowed within the 100 metres perimeter of the Polling Stations or within the Polling Booth.

No arms should be carried inside the Polling Station. Restrictions, however do not apply to the Officers in-charge of law and order and Security Personnel put on duty near the Polling Booth for use of such instruments in the course of discharge of their official duties. Similarly, restriction on use of cellular phones, mobile phones, etc., do not apply to the observers appointed by the Commission and Officer in-charge of polling duties and persons drafted for polling duty, in course of their official duties;

And whereas, no unauthorized persons should be present inside the Polling Station at any time or during the poll.

And whereas, I am satisfied that there is every reason to believe that unknown miscreants and disgruntled persons may attempt to create disorder and trouble outside the Polling Stations and thereby interfere in the smooth and fair conduct of polling process and also thereby may cause breach of peace and impact public tranquility. Hence, there is sufficient ground for proceeding for which immediate prevention is required;

Therefore, in order to ensure free, fair, peaceful conduct of elections and strict compliance/adherence to the instructions and rules laid down by the Election Commission of India and in exercise of the powers conferred upon under section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code, I, Dr. D. Manikandan, I.A.S., District Magistrate, Karaikal District, in exercise of the powers conferred upon under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, do hereby promulgate prohibitory order, banning the following activities from 6.00 p.m. of 17-04-2024 till 6.00 a.m. of 20-04-2024 in Karaikal District:

(1) Unlawful assembly and holding of any public meetings/rallies.

(2) Presence of electors or campaigners who are not voters of the constituencies in the District.

(3) Use of loudspeakers.

(4) Displaying any election matter including results of any opinion poll or any other poll survey in any electronic media.

Any violation of this order is punishable by legal action under section 188 of IPC and other relevant provisions by law.

However, the expression "unlawful assembly" appearing in this order, will not stand in the way of citizens going about their normal business and chores, to go to vote and celebrate the festival of democracy in proper spirit, gathering for private functions and this does not restrict house-to-house visit during 48 hours in connection with door-to-door campaigning. This shall not apply to the Agencies/ Officials of the Government involved in the enforcement of Law and Order, conduct of election and the maintenance of essential services.

The emergent nature of case and circumstances do not permit serving of notice to the concerned in due time and hence, this order is passed ex parte under section 144 (2) of Criminal Procedure Code, 1973.

At Karaikal, dated the 17th day of April 2024.

DR. D. MANIKANDAN, I.A.S.,

District Magistrate.

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